Mechanical engineering is a field with expanding career options and exceptional earning potential. This field within  engineering is usually more hands-on than other types of engineering, and roles for mechanical engineers appear in most technology fields.

 

The mechanical branch of engineering is one of the most ancient and widely used amongst it’s many other forms out there, as it emerged as a field during the Industrial Revolution in Europe in the 18th century - however, it's development can be traced back several thousand years around the world, and it has continually evolved to incorporate advancements ever since. The applied students in this field will learn how to research, design, develop, build, test, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical and thermal devices and systems, including tools, engines, and machines. Spoken in very broad terms, they will learn how to produce and operate machinery of any kind.

Mechanical engineers design and oversee the manufacturing of many products ranging from medical devices to new batteries. They also design power-producing machines such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines as well as power-using machines, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

Main groups of products are considered to be power plants, industrial equipments, heating and cooling systems, transporting infrastructures, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices (…and sometimes even weapons). The field has continually evolved to incorporate advancements; today mechanical engineers are pursuing developments in such areas as micro electro-mechanical systems, composites, mechatronics, nanotechnology, biomechanics, and computational fluid dynamics.

 

Mechanical engineers can use computers as well to help create and analyze designs, run simulations and test how a machine is likely to work. Mechanical engineers use tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product lifecycle management.

Mechanical engineering is at the forefront of developing new technologies for a number of industries including transport, healthcare, construction, and robotics.  If a technical degree incorporating a broader understanding of the world sounds appealing, mechanical engineering studies is just for you!